This South African Coming-of-Age Ceremony Is the Definition of Squad Goals

Sbahle Mpisane’s birthday celebration in all its glory. (Photo: Instagram/sbhale_mpisane)

South African fitness influencer Sbahle Mpisane has more than half a million Instagram followers, and she captivates her audience with her powerful and inspiring fitness routines. Mpisane recently turned 24, and her entire town seems to have celebrated with her.

Mpisane — or Fitness Bunnie, as she is known in social media — had her traditional Zulu coming-of-age ceremony, called an Umemulo, and the pictures of the festivities are captivating. Historically, the ceremony was for Zulu women who reached the age of 21 as virgins, but as times have changed, the ceremony now celebrates young unmarried women as they come of age — typically before 30.

In celebration of Mpisane, her friends and family followed all of the requisite traditions, including parading down the street chanting her name.

Friends and family also wore traditional costumes for the ceremony and looked amazing.

Mpisane is the daughter of Durban business tycoons Shauwn and S’bu Mpisane.